Push-button mechanisms



Aug. 13, 1963 r DQTTLINGER 3,100,403

PUSH-BUTTON MECHANISMS Filed June 16, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jnvgnfo r: b ALFRED o'o'rn I/VGH? WZM United States Patent 3,100,493 PUSH-BUTTQN MECI-IANESMS Alfred Diittlinger, Kirchdorf an der Krems, Austria, as-

signor to Jacob Ritter KG, Brensbach, Odenwald, Germany, a firm of Germany Filed June 16, 1959, Ser. No. 820,764 Claims priority, application Germany .iune 26, 1958 3Claims. (Cl. 745t 3) The present invention relates to push-button mechanisms, the actuation of which alternately and successively moves a control element having a longitudinal axis from one to another of two axial locking positions, and is suitable for enabling the writing point of a writing implement to be advanced and retracted.

It is known to use push-button mechanisms for advancing and retracting the writing point and together therewith the ink reservoir of bail-point pens, the pushbutton mechanism comprising a push-button member slidably guided in a sleeve members, relative movement between the members being restricted by means of a captive ball retained between said members in a closedended or endless control groove in each of the mating surfaces of said members. In known ball-point pens an annular control groove is formed between the rear end of the pen barrel and the clip sleeve, the barrel and the clip sleeve together forming the sleeve member. The push-button mechanism can be assembled by inserting the captive ball in the control grooves before the clip sleeve is screwed on to the pen barrel.

According to one feature of the present invention a push-button mechanism comprises a push-button member slidably guided in a sleeve .member, relative movement between said members being restricted by a captive ball retained in closed-ended or endless grooves in said members, one of said members having a ball-insertion groove open at one end and at the other end communicating with one of said control grooves, said ballinsertion groove being constricted at its opening into said control groove.

According to another feature of the present invention a push-button mechanism comprises a push-button member slidably guided for movement along a given axis in a sleeve member by mating surfaces in said members, and a captive ball retained between said members by a closedended or endless control groove in each of said mating surfaces thereof to restrict relative movement between said members, one of said control grooves extending transversely of said given axis and other of said control grooves having ball-locking stations spaced longitudinally of said given axis, and one of said members having in its mating surface a ball-insertion groove open at one end and at the other end communicating with the control groove of said one member, said ball-insertion groove being constricted at its opening into said control groove.

According to a further feature of the present invention a push-button mechanism comprises a push-button member slidably guided in a sleeve member by substantially cylindrical mating surfaces on said members, a captive ball retained between said members by a closedended or endless control groove in each of said cylindrical surfaces thereof, each of said grooves having a depth substantially equal to but not less than the radius of said captive ball, one of said grooves extending circumferentially of said cylindrical surfaces and the other of said grooves having ball-locking stations spaced longitudinally of said cylindrical surfaces and one of said members having in its cylindrical surface a ball-insertion groove extending from one end of the cylindrical surface to the control groove therein, the opening of said ball-insertion groove into said control groove being consnicted.

In order to insert the captive ball in the mechanism it is only necessary to place the ball in the intersection of the end of the insertion groove on the end of cylindrical surface with the control groove of the member not containing the ball insertion groove and then to push the member containing the insertion groove into place, use of substantial pressure being required in order to overcome the effect of the constricted opening. The purpose I of the constricted opening is to prevent the captive ball;

returning through the ball insertion passage'duringnormal use of the push-button mechanism.

The push-button member may conveniently be manufactured from synthetic material by injection moulding. In this case the grooves in said push-button member are so formed as to facilitate the removal of the push-button tion of a ball-point pen showing a push-button mechav nism according to one embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a magnified cross section of a second embodiment of a push-button mechanism suitable for use with :a ball-point pen, and having different sleeve structure and arrangement,

FIG. 3 is a cross section similar to FIG. 1 illustrating a further embodiment of a push-button mechanism,

FIG. 4 is a magnified cross section of a'bal-l-point pen having a push-button mechanism similar to thatshown in FIG. 1, but showing alternative sleeve and barrel cap structure and arrangement,

FIG. 4a is a detail cross section to a slightly larger scale of the sleeve member of the push-button mechanism shown in FIG. 4,

.FIG. 5 is a cross section on the line 5-5 of FIG. 1,

and v I FIG. 7 is an electrical switch having a push-button mechanism similar to that of FIG. 1.

Referring first of all to FIG. 1, a push-button mechanism according to the invention comprises a push-button member 1, a sleeve member formed by a clip sleeve 2 of a ball-point pen and a captive ball 4. The convex cylindrical surface of the push-button member .1 cooperates with the inner concave cylindrical surfaces of the clip sleeve 2 in order to slidably guide the push-button member 1 along the axis of the sleeve 2. A control groove 6 is formed in the cylindrical surface of the push-button member 1 and a control groove 5 is formed in the cylindrical surface of the sleeve 2. The combined depth of the grooves 5 and 6 is substantially equal to but not less than the radius of the captive ball 4. The control groove 5 extends transversely of the axis of the push button mechanism and extends substantially circumferentially of the slip sleeve 2 as in the embodiment of FIG. 1. The control groove 6 has two ball-locking stations 16 and 17 which are spaced longitudinally of the axis of the mechanism. The push-button member 1 is biased upwardly, for example by means of a spring (not shown in FIG. 1) so as to maintain the captive ball 4 in one or other of thesestations. As will be apparent from FIG. 1, pressure on the push-button member 1 causes. the captive ball 4 to move, relative to the member 1, along the left-hand portion of the control groove 6. Subsequent release of pressure from the push-button member FIG. 6 is a cross section on the line 6-6 of FIG. 1,

1 enables ,the ball to fall back to the 'ball-lockingstation 17. A further application toand release of pressure from a the push-button member 1 allows the captiveball 4 to returnj'to the ball-locking station 16 "along the right hand pjortionof the control groove 6.

As can be seen fromv the drawings," the control grooves 5 and'6 are'continuous grooves and therefore have no open ends. ln'orderto enable the captive ball 4 to be i initially-inserted-inthe grooves the cylin'dricalsurface of the push-button member 1 is provided with a ball- The ball 4 is inserted in groove 5 through the lower part of groove 7 and is forced throughthe constriction 8 in the upper end of groove 7 and into groove 6 by the first actuation of the push-button into the groove during assembly ofthe member 1. The constriction's prevents the captive ball returning along the insertion groove 7 during normal use of the push-button mechanism. 7

I The push-button mechanism of FIG. 1- is readily applicable to a ball-point'pen such as is shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 1 the clip sleeve} is screwed into the upper end of a pen barrel 3, a clip 10 being retained between the sleeve 2 and the barrel. The upper end of an ink reser Win 12 is biased by a spring to press against the end 11 "In FIG. 1 the push butt'on member 1, the sleeve member formed by the clip sleevel and preferably also the I pen barrel "5- are manufactured from injection-moulded synthetic material. The mechanism shown in FIG. 1:

is a so-called single-stage mechanism where the ball 4, the-groove 5 and alternately one of the pockets 16x or 117x defined in the upper transverse trace of the groove '6, cooperate as more fully explained in my pending patent application, Serial No. v848,081, to limit the downward movement of the push-button member .1. Pocket 16 in similar cooperation limits the upward movement of the push-button member 1. I

,"In the embodiment of the push-button mechanism shown in FlG. 2 like parts in FIG; 1 are indicated by like reference numerals followed b y the suffix a. The clip sleeve 2a of FIG. 2 is however. formed from metal.

In FIG. 2 the groove oa extends right around the pushbutton member. 1a and the ball-insertion passage 7a is not only constricted at its opening sainto the groove (in 7 which the control groove 6b' has a constriction 91;: forming a limit position 17xb which can be felt as a stop when the mechanism is actuated gently. When the stop is felt, downward pressure on the push-button member is released and the ball 4b in cooperation with the groove shapes and the spring bias is brought to locking station 1717. TA

strong pressure on the push-button member 111 forces the ball past the constriction 9b to a seoond and positive limit position 1 6x12. when the pressure is released the ball 1b' is returned to locking position x2: by the spring bias insertion groove 7. Theball-insertiongroove 7 is open L g neendkand at its other end communicates withthe control grooved. Theball-insertion groove 7 is constr icted at 8 where it opens into the controljgr-oove 6.

numerals with the sufiix b. voir is indicated by 14in FIG. 3,

and shapes of the groove. In. FIG. 3 again parts which arelilre those of FIG; 1' are indicated by like reference However, the ink reserln the ball-point pen shown in FIG. 4 an ink reservoir 14c is biased against a puslnbutton member 10 by means of a spring 15. vAs can be more clearly seen in FIG. 4a the'control groove 50 in theembodiment of the pushbutton mechanism ofFlG. '4 is formed between a clip sleeve 20 and the upper portion of the pen barrel 3c.

The sleeve member of the push-button mechanism of FIG.

4 therefore comprises both the clip sleeve 2c and the pen barrel 30. A clip 1? is moulded integrally with the clip sleeveZc. extending control groove 50 is'formed by the upper end 18 of the pen barrel 3c and the upper edge 50 of the groove 5 isformed by an'internal annular projection a shoulder 24) in the sleeve 20 which is screwed into the barrel 3c. The construction shown in FIGS. 4 and 4a has the advantage of simplicity. In FIGS. 4 and 4a parts similar to parts of preceding FIGS, are indicated by like reference numerals with the suffixes 0', d and e.

In order to facilitate removal from the mould after injeticn moulding of the push-button member 1 of the embodiment of FIG; 1, the control groove 6 and ball-' insertion "groove 7 are formed as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

of the push-button member 1. The push-button mechani smin FIG. 1 is shown-in its position inwhioh the writing point of-the penis retracted. Pressure on the mem: ber l'to bring the captiveball 4 toits limit position 17x I and release of the pressure for the spring bias and thecooperating groove shapes to bring the ball 4 into its I ball-locking station 17 advances the point of the pen 7 beyond the front end (not shown) of thebarrel 3.

The sides 24), 21,22 and 23 of the control groove 6 and the side '24 of the ball-insertion groove 7 are formed divergent towards the cylindrical surface of the pushbutton member 1.

FIG. -7 shows an application of a push-button mecha-.

nism according to the invention for a purpose other than use with ball-point pens. in FIG. 7a push-button mechanism according to the invention is used to open and close switch oontacts'of an electricswitch. 'A spring 15a is provided for biasing the push-button member, but if the switch contacts are sufficiently resilient it maybe possible to dispense with the spring 15a. 7

In all the embodiments of push-button mechanisms shown in the drawings the transversely extending groove is in the sleeve member and the groove with the longitudinally spaced ball locking stationsis in the push-button member 1, but it is equally positioned to have a reverse arrangement, i.e. the transversely extending groove in the push-button member and ,the groove with the ball-lockmg stations in the sleeve member. Moreover, the ball in- V sertion groove could also be .in the sleeve member.

"The constriction 8 from the ball insertion groove 7 in the drawings may be formed at the end of a gradual taper starting from the initial opening of the groove 7, as shown particularly in FIG. 1.

Although I have described my invention with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted .to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

I, claim: a V l. A push-button mechanism comprising: a stationary sleeve means for enclosing and supporting the rest of the mechanism; a. one piece push-button .meanslongitudmally slidable in said sleeve means between axially spaced positions for alternating actuation t-herebetween; opposing control grooves defined-on said sleeve and pushbuttonmeans, said grooves being shaped and positioned relative. to each other to cross in an intersection that moves repetitively in a closed cycle as said push-button means 1s slidably actuated in said sleeve means :between said axially spaced positions; a ball means adapted to fit between said opposing control grooves in said intersection and carried'therein as said intersection moves in said closed cycle, said control grooves defining lock positions for said ball'means corresponding to said axially spaced positions, and said ball means cooperating with said The lower edge 5d of the transversely grooves fior restricting s-aid longitudinally slidable pushbutton means to alternate actuation between said locking positions; and a ball-means insertion groove for initially inserting said ball means in the intersection of said two control grooves, said insertion groove being defined and extending axially in said push-button means, said insertion groove having two oppositely disposed ends, one said end opening axially outwardly and there forming with said control groove of the sleeve means an intersection into which said ball is initially placed, and the other said end tapering radially outward to form a constricted inner end opening into the control groove on said push-button, said constriction requiring an application of axially directed force to said ball means to push it past said constriction and into the intersection of said control grooves, said axially directed force being applied by the initial actuation of said push-button means.

2. A push-button mechanism as described in claim 1, said push-button means consisting of an integral piece of molded plastic and having a cylindrical periphery formed with said insertion and control grooves, said grooves on said push-button means comprising at least two peripherally spaced portions which extend substantially in the longitudinal direction of the push-button means and have side walls diverging to said periphery to facilitate the removal of the push-button means from a mold.

3. A push-button mechanism as described in claim 1, said sleeve means consisting of a barrel top member formed \m'th an internal collar having a lower end face defining an upper edge of said control groove on said sleeve, said mechanism =further comprising a lower barrel member having an upper end face and said barrel members being screw-threadedly connected and said lower end face of said top member forming said shoulder of said lower member, said upper end face being spaced below said lower end face to define a lower edge of said control groove on said sleeve means, said ball means having a diameter substantially exceeding the depth of each of said control grooves, said push-button means having a stopdisposed above said control groove on said push-button means, said top member having a cylindrical inside surface extending from said internal collar downwardly and without increase in diameter for a length which is at least equal to the axial distance from said stop to the lowermost point of said control groove on said push-button means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,732,577 Durdin Oct. 22, 1929 2,671,354 Goos Mar. 9', 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,023,101 France Dec. 24, 1952 1,129,021 France Sept. 3, 1956 553,666 Belgium Jan. 15, 1957 219,729 Australia Jan. 12, 1959 1,169,028 France Sept. 8, 1958 199,539 Austria Sept. 10, 1958 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,100,403 August 13, 1963 Alfred D'ottlinger It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

In the grant, lines 2 and 3, for "assignor to Jacob Ritter K.G. of Brensbach, Odenwald Germany, a firm of Germany, read assignor of one-half to Jacob Ritter K.G. of Brensbach, Odenwald, Germany, a firm of Germany; line 12, for "Jacob Ritter K.G. their heirs" read Alfred D'ottlinger, his heirs or assigns, and Jacob Ritter K.G. their heirs in the heading to the printed specification, lines 3 to 5, for "assignor to Jacob Ritter K.G. Brensbach, Odenwald, Germany, a firm of Germany" read assignor of one-half to Jacob Ritter K.G. Brensbach, Odenwald, Germany, a firm of Germany Signed and sealed this 29th day of December 1964.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A PUSH-BUTTON MECHANISM COMPRISING: A STATIONARY SLEEVE MEANS FOR ENCLOSING AND SUPPORTING THE REST OF THE MECHANISM; A ONE PIECE PUSH-BUTTON MEANS LONGITUDINALLY SLIDABLE IN SAID SLEEVE MEANS BETWEEN AXIALLY SPACED POSITIONS FOR ALTERNATING ACTUATION THEREBETWEEN; OPPOSING CONTROL GROOVES DEFINED ON SAID SLEEVE AND PUSHBUTTON MEANS, SAID GROOVES BEING SHAPED AND POSITIONED RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER TO CROSS IN AN INTERSECTION THAT MOVES REPETITIVELY IN A CLOSED CYCLE AS SAID PUSH-BUTTON MEANS IS SLIDABLY ACTUATED IN SAID SLEEVE MEANS BETWEEN SAID AXIALLY SPACED POSITIONS; A BALL MEANS ADAPTED TO FIT BETWEEN SAID OPPOSING CONTROL GROOVES IN SAID INTERSECTION AND CARRIED THEREIN AS SAID INTERSECTION MOVES IN SAID CLOSED CYCLE, SAID CONTROL GROOVES DEFINING LOCK POSITIONS FOR SAID BALL MEANS CORRESPONDING TO SAID AXIALLY SPACED POSITIONS, AND SAID BALL MEANS COOPERATING WITH SAID GROOVES FOR RESTRICTING SAID LONGITUDINALLY SLIDABLE PUSHBUTTON MEANS TO ALTERNATE ACTUATION BETWEEN SAID LOCKING POSITIONS; AND A BALL-MEANS INSERTION GROOVE FOR INITIALLY INSERTING SAID BALL MEANS IN THE INTERSECTION OF SAID TWO CONTROL GROOVES, SAID INSERTION GROOVE BEING DEFINED AND EXTENDING AXIALLY IN SAID PUSH-BUTTON MEANS, SAID INSERTION GROOVE HAVING TWO OPPOSITELY DISPOSED ENDS, ONE SAID END OPENING AXIALLY OUTWARDLY AND THERE FORMING WITH SAID CONTROL GROOVE OF THE SLEEVE MEANS AN INTERSECTION INTO WHICH SAID BALL IS INITIALLY PLACED, AND THE OTHER SAID END TAPERING RADIALLY OUTWARD TO FORM A CONSTRICTED INNER END OPENING INTO THE CONTROL GROOVE ON SAID PUSH-BUTTON, SAID CONSTRICTION REQUIRING AN APPLICATION OF AXIALLY DIRECTED FORCE TO SAID BALL MEANS TO PUSH IT PAST SAID CONSTRICTION AND INTO THE INTERSECTION OF SAID CONTROL GROOVES, SAID AXIALLY DIRECTED FORCE BEING APPLIED BY THE INITIAL ACTUATION OF SAID PUSH-BUTTON MEANS. 